Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the announcement today that the early years sector will be greatly strengthened. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, announced that she will strengthen the registration, regulation and enforcement powers relating to regulation of preschool services. We had a good deal of debate earlier this year on the issue, particularly after the shocking "Prime Time" programme about standards of care in preschool services. The announcement that there will a statutory basis for the registration of preschool services and a new range of enforcement powers for inspectors is welcome. Draft legislation will be brought to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children next week.

In that context, I ask the Leader to debate the provision of school-age or after-school child care. This will be covered in new legislation proposed by the Minister but requires different consideration. The Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton, and the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, had previously worked with the Minister to ensure the rolling out of places for after-school provision in school premises. There has been a disappointing take-up by primary schools. I ask the Leader for a debate on provision of child care for children in school, which is a major issue for working parents. It requires different considerations and measures, and the provision of places on school premises seems to be an appropriate way of moving on it.

I welcome the announcement by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, of a major reform of the Irish Statute Book and a programme of repealing obsolete regulations and laws. It is very welcome. The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality will debate the fourth programme of law reform with the Law Reform Commission. I hope we have the opportunity to debate a number of matters on its agenda, including making legislation more accessible. Part of the programme of making legislation more accessible and making laws easier to access for people generally is ensuring the legislation is kept up to date and that we do not have large amounts of obsolete and archaic laws on our Statute Book. I hope we can debate at some point the issue of access to law.